Electrical plug-connector.



. s. mmm-Y, 1n; E; N. Lasmmo @L :1. man

f'fcmcALjPLus commise( A APPuQA-rxu'meo fsa. 24. 1913.." a APaf/@mum Img'. 2S, mi?.

WLLIALV S. HADAWAY, JR., OF NE-W ROCHELLE, AND EDUVIN N. LIGHTFOOT AND JOSEF AMON, GF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSGNORS TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER IVIFG.

ELECTRICAL PLUG-CONNECTOR.

Lesers?.

Application filed February 24, 1913.

Be it known that we, "VHJJAM S. linmwAY, Jr., and Enwix N. Lroir'lroo'r, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, ol New Rochelle, in the county ot lVestchester, and ol' New York, in the 'county ot New York, both in the State of New York. and .loser Arrow, a subject of the Emperor ot Austria, residing` at New York, in the count)7 and State ot New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Flug-Connectors, ol' which the followingr is a. full, clear. concise, and exact description, reference being1 had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to electric plug connectors or separable connectors.

.Separable connectors are used 'in various relations, especiallyY in conjunction with electric devices which a re not designed to be permanently mounted or connected but which are connected to or disconnected from the source ot suppl y at will. 'lhesc connectors ma7 be used between sections ot a flexiblc` cord connector, between flexible conductors and the electric agparatus to be supplied, as for example. electric heaters oi" various types and between llexible conduetors and thc suppl)T line.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide an improved socket which is electricall. and mechanical@T complete in itsclt' and which is adapted to receive a coperating plug. n

Another object is to provide an improved separable connector, the socket member ot which is made up of any desired numberof such independent and completev sockets assembled compactly` withina suitable casing.

Another object is to provide a. separable plug; connector of rugged construction and compact forni.

A further object is to provide a connector especiall)Y adapted to withstand high tcmpcratures.

An additional object is to provide a coi nector having the advantages above enumerated, which may be economically manufactured and in which there are few parts to :fet out of order. `i Preferred forms of connectors arefillus- Specification of Letters atent.

Patented Aug. 28, 19T?.

serial No. 750,076.

trated in the acconuianying drawings in which- Figure l is a. sectional view of the several parts which comprise, one form of socket, showing the method ot assembling the same.

Fig'. 2 is a sectional View of these parts assembled.

Fig. 3 is a. view of the detached parts of another or smaller form of single socket, some parts being shown in elevation and some in section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the assembled parts. y

Fig. 5 is a. further sectional elevation of one of said parts. i

Fig. 6 is an elevation of another of said parts.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a single pole connector, the socket being of the larger size shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. S is a section thereof taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the socket member or" ay two-pole connector.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan View thereof.

Fig. l1 is a sectional elevation of the socket member of a two-pole connector having the smaller sockets shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan View thereof.

F ig. i3 is a top plan view ot the. plug member of a two-pole connector.

Fig. 14k is a sectional elevation thereof.

Fig'. 15 is a sectional elevation of the socket member oli a three-pole connector having the small sockets. f

Fig. 1GA is a bottom plan View thereof..

Figs. l? and 1S are a plan View and an elevationrespectively of a spring used in the socket member of the two-polev connector shown in Figs. 1l and 12.

Figs. 19 and 20 are similar views 'of the spring used in the three-pole connector.

Fig'. 2l is an elevation partly in section of the plug,` member of a'three-pole con# nector.

F ig. 22 is a sectional view of the socket member of a threepole connector.

Fig. 23 is an end view of the three-pole socket member shown in Fig. 22 with the plugs shown in section in their respective sockets.y which latter are sprung.,r somewhat apart.

Fig. 24. is a similar ViewV but with the unitary s "ruct ure.

pings-.vi'thdra Wn, whereby the sockets are in normal position, somewhat Closer together,

Fig.I is plan View of the socket inember of a four-pole coi'niector. Y

:26 is a similar vieu' ot` said 'ouipole socket member with thc plugs shown in section in their respective sockets, the latter being sprung' apart by said ijilugs.

'Fig'. Q7 is a Af-tional elevation ot a fourpole connector pltig haring' a en ing` of modified construction.

Fig. S a. sectional elevation ot' the socket member ifo-:responding thereto.

lfig'. 2Q is an end vier.' oi? id socket ineinber.

Fig' 230 is a pian View oit' a four-pole wall receptacle.

Fig. 231 is n seetionaielevation thereof. Fig. separable connect 'i members ot which are similar in outline.

rlach connector comprises a pniro separable members which may be called the plugr member and `the. socket meniber, The socket' member composed:oiz one or more sockets, preferably inthe torni 'or' spools or barrels. equal in number lo the goles of the connector.

llfieb spool, barrel or socket is a complete lt mechanically and electrically completev in; itself. Ne have illustrated two different types of spool,y

which. rre shell designate. tor convenience, the large socket :ind the small socket7 the question bein` one of relative `dimensions luiwerer, rather than absolute size. The large size..tliiat is, the one having'the 'greatest diameter in proportion to length. is illustrate/fl in 1 and 29 'and iscoinposed in the prc't'crred Atorrny'ot' a central Contact tube l. c rried concenti'cnlly in a sleeve 2 troni which it is insult l. The. tube is open at one end to receive the plug or eol.-

tact pin ot the 'plug member and is slightly larger in dinineter than the pin which it to engr l`he other end of the tube has its walls lint outward and 'back7 forming;1 a

range 3 and basan extended portion of the malls beyond the flange 'pressei'l together as,

:it -lto provid a terminal. A binding` screw 5 [its an opening in the erininal to supportand secure an electrical conductor,'tl1e corners adjacent the head oit the screw being' bont upto :iid in serali-ing,r said conductor.

The sleeve Q may be formed of several` parts shown: detachedA in Fig; 1. The

ends@l oi' the sleeve are liared outwardly to ya larger diameter to receivev insulating 'washers 7, These washers are preferably composed. of inioa, although fiber or'other insulatingmaterial may be used. he washers lit snugly Within the flared ends of thel slee're and the Central openings of thewashr closely embrace the ends of the tube 1. i'i'lien thc sleeveis'inade in several sectiene.A

an elevation of a 'tour-gliele.

i, the plug end socket A `tube and sleeve.

res-ense as illustrated in Fin. l. a Central section' 8 is provided which closely lits the ends 9 of .the end nicinbers (i. A projection 1.0 on the sleeve aids in positioning the spool as hereinafter described, it is understood, otl

course that the sleeve :nightbe in a single` piece and provided with the flared portions nfithin' which the washers are fitted.

' in the assembled spoolr` as illustrated in lfii the tube is held within the sleeve by 'the washers] andthe open end ot' the tube is ornjicd over as.ai ll to compress the in snlating` washers and hold the various parts igiene compact unit. Metallic \\'ashers 'l2 and lf3 may be employed to take `the pressurey oi" forming over the tube' and to distribute the pressure over the, insulating washers. Additional insulatingv washers 14 niay be added on the open'end ot each unit to prevent the plugpin'slipping vlwtween'the The flared' portion 6 heut inwardly as at l5 to hold the washers ii in place. The open space 16 between the tube and the central portion ot' the sleeve is ina'nuifartured zin llie-pt-in stock in large,

quantities and 'their readily assembled 'to torni a separable connector ot' any desired nuinbcr' oi' poles by simply mounigng or supporting said spools or sockets in a suitable iinfclosing?r easing without regard te whetluir said 'spools are insuluted't'rom each other or trein said casn'ig,'WhiCh letterniay be at metal or any other suitable materiel, either'conducting or 11on-co11ductii1g. For example. in Fig. 7, such a spool'is mounted as part ol a single pole connector. In Figs. .22.235 and 2li, said spools are assembled within a -casingr to form. a part of a threepole conncrtor. llrlfigs. 25 and 26y theynre arranged to iori'n part ot a fourfpole con-A nector, filler are also shown niounted. in variousv ways in other figures of the draw?, ings. all ot' n'hich`are hereinafter described more lully.

'the .smaller spool illustrated in Figs. 8 and Il, comprisesin the preferred forni, a cent-ral tube 17 flattened at one end and haring a sere-W threaded opening which receives a terminal screwY 18, said tube' being surrounded by a cylinder 19 of rolled up sheet inicia., the latter having a. metallic casing 20 slipped over the saine and held there meses? to by swaging in or indenting certain portions thereof. Said casing is also provided with a pair of projecting lugs 22, which are preferably struck up from the metal. The assembled spool as shown in Fig. si is very compact, the outer casing being separated from the inner tube only by a few thicknesses of mica. The outer casing thoroughly insulated from the inner tube however, and accordingly a number of spools may be grouped together in contact with each other, while at the same time the inner tubes 17 will be entirely independent of each other electrically. Furthermore, a number of sockets so grouped together occupy a minimum space transverselybecauseA of their relativelyr small diameters as compared to their lengths. Socket members made up of'groups of these small sive spools are shown in Figs. 1l and l5 which are hereinafter described.

'in F 'l a single pole separable connec-"- tor is shown, consisting of a socket member 23 and a plug member 24 therefor. The sof-liet member includes a single spool of the larger size such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the same reference characters being used todesignate the parts thereof as have previously been employed. Said spool is mounted within a metallic casing 25, one end of which is iianged over as at 26 to hold the spool in place. The'other end of the spool is secured by abutting against an inner metallic casing 27, secured to said outer casing by a screw 28, whereby it may be detached therefrom. An inner lining 29 of insulation is provided in viewwothegfact thauthe terminal conductor enters vthis chamber and is connected to the screw 5 in a manne-r that well understood. The inner casing 2T is provided with an insulating bushing 30 in an opening in its outer end, said insulating bushing serving also to secure the insulating lining in place. The spool. although positively locked against longitudinal displacement, is loosely mounted within the casing 25 and may be shifted laterally. Itis held in normal position however, slightly olf center, by a spiral spring 31.

The plug member 24 comprises a metallic casing or cup 32 having a flaring end adapt ed to act as a guide when the socket and plug members are being assembled. Said casing has an opening in the end thereof within which is mounted the terminal pin 33, said pin being supported by said casingbut insulated therefrom by a plurality of insulating washers 34, preferably made of mica. Said mica washers are clamped in position by a metallic eyelet 35, said eyelet receiving snugly a screw-threaded extension L5 on the terminal pin. A nut 37 holds the terminal pin rmly in position and may bev used also to assist in securing a conductor thereto, either directly or indirectly. The

terminal pin is thus securely mounted on the casing 32, but is insulated therefrom and is preferably. arranged centrally thereof. As previously stated, however, the socket or spool in the socket member, is not arranged exactly central with respect to its casing. Consequently, it is normally slightly out of alinement with respect to Said pin, the interiitting casings determining the relative arrangement of the pin and socket in this regard. Accordingly, when the plug and socket members are forced together, the movable socket is sprung slightly laterally, whereupon it is held in lfirm frictional engagement, and hence in good electrical contact with said pin, par at least a portion of the cylindrical surface thereof.

In Figs. 9 and l0 we have illustrated a two-pole connector, the socket member of which comprises a drawn metal casing 38 within which two spools 39 are mounted,

,each of which is constructed preferably in accordance with the disclosure in Figs. l and '2, Said spools are loosely held together by an S-shaped spring 40 having a notch 41 therein. rsuitable screw or rivet 42 passes through the casing. from side to side, as shown in Fig. l0, and being received within said notch, prevents the spring and hence the spools, from falling out of the casing. The Aspring also has openings 43 therein which receive the projections 10 and prcvent turning... of the spools. The inner chamber of the casing is provided preferas,

bly with an insulating lining 44, as the cirroov cuit conductors 45 enter this casing and are Y attachedzto the terminal s'c'i'fews''." It should two-pole separable connector of modified construction, the smaller spools being employed. T wo spools or sockets such as shown in 4, are mounted within a suitable metallic casing 46 having an opening in one end within which a helical spring 47 is located, said .spring Serving as a mechanical reinforcement and protector for the conductors not shown) which enter through said opening and are secured at their ends to the terminal screws 18. Within the outer end ,of said casing a metallic sleeve 48,is secured, preferably by a screw 49., 'said sleeve having an opening 50 in one endthrough which the two spools pass loosely. The outer' end of said sleeve is closed by an insulating disk 51, which is held in place between a shoulder and the inwardly turned edge 'of said sleeve,` as clearly shown in t-hev drawl ing. Said insulating disk 5l is provided `rm trictional engagement therewith.

Awith a pair of openings.59J through which the plugs or pinsv ot the plug iiiember are arlapteil to pass. The inner enils o1 said openings are' enlarged as' at 53, to reeeiye loosely the outer entls of the sp'oolsorlsoeltets. Each socketv isaccordingly lockedv against end-wise (lisiilaeeinent, but may have suitable lateral movement. Said soci;- ets are normally yiell '.nglyA inipelled toward each other by a spring 5, shown more clearly in Figs. 17 andl. Said spring .is provided with a pair ot' notches Within each of which one of the. lugs fits loosely,. to prevent turning` of the spools.r Said springs are thereby properly positioned with respeet to saitl spools and. while loosely secured theretol nevertheless they cannot be accidentally detached therefrom7 nor canthe spools get ont of proper posit-ion.. The springr yieltliiigly holrls said spools in a certain-normaly positiombnt 'permits saifl spools to be sprung' apart soi'newhat, when thecon tart pins on the plug member are inserted therein.

Une. form oi plug` member is illustrated in Figs. l?, and le, anil consists et a metallic easing o6 having a pair et terminal plugs or pins'i mon'nteil in an opening in the end thereof and suitably positioned therein and insulated therefrom by mica washers in a manner similar to that previously described. 'Said pins #are normally' spacedl apart a distance slightly greater than the normal (listaneebetnteen the axes ot' the two cooperating spools whereby sai'f'l. spools are foi-Cell apart by said pins and caused to have ln the present instanee'it `will be seen that when the terminal pins are bein;- inserted in the sockets. either pin may' be assiunetl to be normally in alinenient with the cooperating socket, whereupon. the elements ot' the other 'pair7 namely the other pin anfl soeket, will be normally ont otIl alinement or ott-set. as compared to the elements ot the tix-st pair.

. draw them together.

' in pl ace and In Figs. l5 an'cl 16 We have il'lustratetl a three-pole connector in which .smaller spools or barrels arc employed. Said spools are similar to those 'described in Connection with Figs. 1l angl 1 2. and are mounted in' a. similar: manner, except as to certain minor changes. For exampl., the spring 58 shown in'Figs. 19 and. 20, is so shaped as to parA tially embrace allthree spools which arel loosely locked thereto 'by their lugs 22 'Whieh "lit into notches 59 in saitl spring, tl'iereby preventing turning f saicl spools. casing 6i),` inthe present instance,` is pro' vided with a projecting portion 6l strut-,it therefrom to act as a guide inproperly locating 'the pins of the plug member with respect to said socket member. TWhere three contacts are need, it. is desirabley that each Contact pin shall close av circuit to 'a parA ticular 'spool anti to no other. Vlith the The projection 5S and snitahieeoop on the plugAmeriberrthe rel nient.' of; the cir y cnrately predetermined.' Three pole emr neetors are frequently nsell connection with heat-ing applianees Where-itf l able il i " 'attr lime: is

to hare available two or more l e necting tajo iin-equal resistors e er singlyv or in parallel. Under these eireninstan.

a three-pole connector may be nsell as eonstate tlireepole le up ol'uniare l-WT lyhmeans of:

ipe l springs Y 1 l, 'eo @nos or eaeh spring embracing thesleere ot a spool anfl yielclingly {li-airing them together,

an arrangement ot springs is illuslrateflA in which an S-shapetlspring 5l 'is usetl'in ronjunetion with a compound sprin@4 o more lirinlyholt-l the spools. The bos l() termoli' fon each sleeve 8 cooperate with openings in the ends or" the spring to hohl the nuits" prt-veit twi "iig ot their terv'Vlie springs are yret or a single spring. 35, properly s embraceall ot the `sp-mils and initials. cesse-tl as at '6G to prorifl. A lininvl of insulation o? posed otmica stripsj is prf: easing opposite the terminal insulating bushing (3S i n the enel ot t-l'ie easA inghas an openingthroughwhich pass 'the conductors o9.

TheA 'ping member 'illestratecl vin Fig'. ll eonsists of a number oft Contact pins "7% equal in number to the spools in the soolfai member. .These pins are "preferably rigidly inmonntefl in a metalli@ hase "Il and are snlatetl tht @from as at 72. lPhe base nrovitletl with an ating lining` I base is Ainonntetl ohio a easing 7" to 'the easing but ai'ranged4 to tei-e .ope over the same A. iitable terminal 5.5 on each pin provides for attaehing'tlie Conv doctors 76:

rlie pins are 'preferably arraneei fr distance between their axes slizgilioy than'thenormal distance between the artes of the tubes in the socket member. 'When the pins on the ping member are pressed into the tubes on the Asocket .nfiemher7 the spools are moved laterally the sion of the spr as ilinstr teil in causing the tubes to exert )fa'essnre a" met aereas@ the pins, thereby insuring a good electrical contact and sullicient mechanical friction to hold the parts firmly together.

Figs. 25 and "26 illustrate a four-pole connector. Four spools or barrels are arranged in this torni in pairs with a single S-shaped spring embracing each pair and holding them yieldingly together' as illustrated in Fig. 25. Upon insertion of the plug pinsthe spools are forced apart, assuming the posi-v tion illustrated in Fig. 26. lt is evident, of course, that in place of S-shapedsprings, a single spiral spring could be used which would embrace each of the barrels so as to draw them together as desired. y

Figs. 27, Q8 and Q9 illustrate further form of four-pole connector, many of the elements of which are similar to elements previously described and accordingly, the same reference characters have been employed. The casings are of di'erent form and are constructed preferably ot' cast metal instead of drawn metal; aluminum being very desirable for this purpose. The casing 77 ot the plug member is provided with an annular lange or rib 78. whereby it may be readily grasped by hand. lhe casing 79 for the socket member is also constructed preferably of aluminum. This connector may be used as a three heat connector by coupling the members together in any one of several possible positions or" angular rotation.

Figs. 30 and 3l illustrate a Wall socket adapted to receive a tour-pole connecter plug such as shown, for example, in Fig. 2i". bald Wall socket comprises a pair of .tace plates 8O and 8l held together by screws 82 which pass through lugs 83 on the under surface thereof. The barrels, which are similar to those shown in Figs. and '2, are held in place by a projecting shoulder 84- vvhich fits into the reduced middle portion of each barrel to a certain extent and thereby locks the same in position, with the outer ends thereof about 'flush With the outer surface of the face plate. See Fig. 31. rlhe barrels or spools are suitably held together' by springs similar to those described above, whereby they may be forced apart somewhat when the plug lis inserted. An inclosing casing 85 is provided, which is secured to the 'face plate byscreivs 8S which pass through ears 87 on said casing. After said casing is in place, the two halves of the face plate 8 0, 81, cannot be separated, nor can access be had to the securing screws 8%.

In Fig. 32 We have illustrated a separable attachment plug consisting of' a socket member 88 Uand a plug member 89, the internal construction ot which may be the same as that illustrated in Figs. 2.7 and 28 or the small spools may be employed. Said outer casings are each provided with an annular liange or bead lto *facilitate separation thereof. This connector is intended primarily as a three heat connector, the two members being adapted to tit into each other in any one of :tour diiierent angular positions, ninety degrees apart.

Although both the large spools and the small spools have various advantages which adapt then'i for use in particular relations, the small Spool is particularly adapted for use Where a plurality of such spools have to be grouped side by side, and parallel, within a limited inclosure. For this reason, the smaller spools may be used advantageously within the holloivhandles which are usually attached to heating appliances or various kinds.

The contact between the pins and tubes is theoretically a line contact owing to the difference in the circumference of the pins and tubes. This is ordinarily sutlicent, butv if it is desired tosecurc aiarger Contact area, the pins may be so shaped as to provide a portion of their surfaces formed on an arc of the same radius as the internal diameter ot the tubes.

While the spools have been described as movable and the pins as rigidly mounted, it will be apparent that this arrangement may be reversed or that both pins Vand spools may be spring-held in position, if desired. It is also` apparent that all of `the pins need not be mounted on one member nor all of the. sockets on the otherA member, as part of the pins and part ot the sockets may be arranged each on one member. rihis is particularly advantageous in connection with a two-pole connector' Where it is desired to maintain the-proper polarity oi a circuit. Accordingly. we do not limit ourselves to an arrangement wherein all-of the plugs are mounted in one group and all of the sockets in another group. ln general, We do not desire to limit ourselves to the particular forms of the invention described and illustrated, nor to the details, thereof,

except Where limitations appear in the appended claims. @n the contrary, We desire to cover broadly suitable equivalent means for accomplishing the desired results Wherover said means 'all Within the scope of the appended claims.

lilhat We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Fatent is:

l. A connector comprising a casing, a plurality oi electrically and mechanically complete sockets therein, a spring for normally biasing said sockets toward one another, said spring and sockets having cooperating notches and projections by means of which said sockets are prevented from rotating.

2. ii connector having a plug member provided with aplurality of plug contacts, a socket member comprising a casing having a plurality of mechanically and electrically complete sockets therein and a spring for normally biasing:r the socket members out ot Aalinement with the -plug members, said. spring lia-ving notches therein cooperating' with projcctionson*the sockets to prevent rotation of said sockets.

3. A connector having a plug member provided n ith' a plurality of plugl contacts, a socket member comprising` a casing` having 'a plurality of nietal-incased mechanically and electrically complete sockets therein, and' a spring tor normally biasing the socket membe-rs out of alinement with the plug members, said spring having notches thereincooperating withv projections struck up -'ronr the casings' ot' said"socltets'tov prevent rota- -tion of said sockets.

l. A connector having a plug member provided with a plurality ol" plum(T contacts, a socket-member comprising a 'asing having a plurality' of mechanically and electrically complete sockets therein, and yielding means' tor normally biasing the socket members bodily out of alinemen-t with the plugI contacts whereby' when said members brought into engagement the sockets exert a. pressure on the plugs to secure 0food electrical Contact.

5. A connector havinga casing, a plurality ot mechanically vand electrically completev sockets in said casing, each socket comprising an inner conducting portion and an outer supporting portion insulated therefrom and each of said sockets being mounted to allow bodily'lateral movement thereof and a plug member havinga'plurality of plug contacts cooperating with said sockets.

(3.l A connector comprising a casing,"a plurality of electrically and mechanically com'- pletesockets loosely mounted ln said casing,

an insulating base in yone end 'of said casing having openings therein through which 'the plug contacts of afplug member may be insorted and yielding means for normally biasing the sockets bodily lout of alinement with the openings in the base.

7. A connector comprising a casing, a plurality of mechanically and velectrically complete sockets therein, each of said sockets comprising an inner conducting portion and an' outer supportingportion insulated therefrom and each of said sockets'heing adapted to loe mounted in .the casing Without being 'disassembled and each socket carrying its own electrical terminal. r l I 8. A socket member for a connector comprising a casing *havinga plurality of sockets therein, each of said sockets being mechanically' and. electrically complete in itseli and comprising` an inner conducting portion and an outer supportingportion insulated therefrom whereby il. may/bc mounted in siid leasing,lr .without being,` disassembled and without being insulated lroni'- said casing', said sockets bling mounted toallow lateealmovcmcnt thereof inthe c 'i ling so that v asses? the sockets may adjust lthemselves to the ing mounted-to allow lateral movement so- 'that the sockets may adjustv then to the plug contacts of 'a plug member.

il). A connector comprising a.. casing and a. plurality of electrically and. niecuanieally complete sockets loosely mounted thereinv so that the sockets may move relatively to *l themselves and to ythe casing-to adjust themselves tothe 'plugcontactsof a cooperating plug member, each et' saidv sockets comprising an inner conducting portion and an Iouter supportingA4 portion .insulated therevtrom.

are.

ll. ln a connection.. a plug member provided with a plurality of Contact elements, a 'i socket member provided with a plurality of socket elements cooperating with said contact elements, a casing inclosing the ele ments of one osaid members, and yielding means drawing said elements together in said casing, said elements being-independently' moyableagainst the .action of 'said yielding means, Wl'ierehy they may adjust themselves to the positions Voi: the corresponding elements ofthe-other member.'-

12.' ln u connector, a plug provided with;

af plurality of plug contacts, a socket memoer provided. with a plurahr of sockets adapted to cooperate with the plug contacts,

and. yielding means for biasing the sockets toward each other whereby they. arenormally out of alinement with plngcontacts, yand 'whereby' when the plug contacts and sockets are lorougrht into engagement. the

vsockets exert pressure on the plug'contacts.

llfln a connector, a casing, a plurality of electrically and mechanically-complete sockets in said casing, each of Vsaid sockets comprising an inner conducting portion and an outer supporting' portion insulated therefrom, and means .tor biasing said-sockets toward one other. i I

14. A socket member for a connector, comprising a casing, a plurality o1" electnically complete, sockets yieldably` mounted inv said casing, anda spring ornorinally biasing.

the sockets toward each other. A

l5. A connector having' a plug provided `with a plurality or" plug contacts, 'a socket member comprising a casing, a plurality of electrically and mechanically complete socki'n said casing, eachof said sockets comprising an nfner conductingportion and an outer supporting portion insulated therefrom, and means for biasing-,said-sockets t0- istv ineens? 'Warcl each other whereby they are normally held out of nlinement with the plug contacts.

1G. A soeket for e plug connector conn prieing 'an inner Contact tube flattened et one enel and having; an opening in saidv flettenedend to receive a terminal screw, 2t thin insulating tube closely embreein'g said in Y ner tube, anden outer rnetelle casing-en-- circling said insulating: tube and having. bent in portions forcedA into sani insulating Vtube to insure firm engagement between all three Coi'icentric elements.

17. ln a. socket for e plug connector, an inner Contact tube, an outer supporting tube',

insulation between said tubes holding one to the other, seid outer-tube having means thereon to aid ,in 'positioning the socket within a, Suitable easing. l

18. In a socket for e plug Vooinieetor, an inner Contact tube, an outer supporting tube, insulation between said tubes holding one to the other, t seid ,outer tube bevingmeans 'thereon to :tid in positioningthe socket within e suitable easing, said Ineens comprising tongues struck up from said outer tube 'and projecting therefrom. A e

19. In, a socket for e plug connector, 'a Contact tube having one end flattened to provide for erterminel connection, e. thin tube of insulating. materielclosely surround- 'ven ting twisting' thereof.

Q0. A connector com risino' e cesinf7 it plumlit57 of sockets therein, each. socket comprising en inner conducting portion and un outersupporting portion insulated there-v from, und a spring for normally biasing Said sockets toward. one another, seid spring und sockets having copereting 'notches and;

projections by means of which said sockets are prevented from rotating.

In. witness whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names inthe presence of 4two Witnesses.

n/'iLLIAMs HADAWAY, JR. nnWiN N. Lienrroo'r.

.roeier AMON. n

. Witnesses I Geenen J. Memoir, Gro. V B. JONES. 

